Healthcare professionals must recognize the impact that social determinants have on the health outcomes of specific populations.  It is important to be aware of the disparities, or differences, these social factors can create.  The National Institute of Health (NIH) has a research agenda in place to address the increasing health needs of racial and ethnic minorities, rural and urban poor, and other medically underserved populations.  This is being done in conjunction with efforts to strengthen the healthcare system and improve access to care for millions of Americans.  Staff providing coordinated care are an integral part of these transformative efforts.

This course aims to strengthen frontline healthcare worker’s ability to recognize and address social factors that can impact a person’s health, as well as identify care coordination activities that reduce barriers to care.

The United States is one of the world leaders in health inequalities, often developing from the burden of race and income-status on population health.  This course examines methods that can be utilized by healthcare professionals to assist patients, and their families, in overcoming challenges they face in receiving and obtaining quality healthcare.  Health disparities and social determinants of health are closely examined in order to provide further understanding of how these two topics are interconnected.  The course explores how various factors associated with health disparities and social determinants impact a person’s overall healthcare experience. Participants will review resources that may assist them in decreasing social and cultural barriers, as well as health disparities.